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Thursday, January 10, 2013

Week of Weather in Pictures

The Dearly Beloved's forest. He doesn't own it. He just staked his claim there.

Growing up in the States, we used to chuckle about how you knew people were getting old when the first topic of conversation was the weather.

I consider it a great kindness on the part of Hashem that as I moved into that chapter of my life, He allowed me to move to Israel, where everybody talks about the weather, regardless of age. The Kineret having risen 73 centimeters awes young and old alike! The hope that maybe snow will fall in Jerusalem excites children of all ages. We bless rain and dew and wind. In our mountain yishuv of Neve Daniel, fog isn't just low-lying cloud. It's the Ananei HaKavod, the Clouds of Glory.

No time to write.. still busy with wedding plans, b"H. But here are some pictures of my day in Jerusalem on Tuesday with the Dearly Beloved, before we hunkered down on our mountain, awaiting snow.

I was practically blown away trying to stand still for this shot. Couldn't stop laughing.

All down Yafo Street, little trees just fell right over in the wind.

Everywhere, the streets were littered with umbrella corpses. Great for gentle rains. No match for high winds.

Note to self: Super-long dresses are fun in the summer, but dumb in the winter. Wear shorter dress next time.

Wiser, warmer and dryer, we awoke to wild winds and rain on Wednesday. Good day to stay home and make kale chips, mushroom-barley soup, and to enjoy a visit from the just-arrived-in-country parents of Champagne Girl. The wedding is beginning to feel real!

We had a pleasant few hours, but then had to send them on their way to Efrat, before the weather got even wilder. Throughout Neve Daniel, barbecue covers and towels and kipot and other lovely items flew from hill to hill; and citizens posted items lost and found. The next morning, we woke up to a real snow day. What follows is an unbelievably fun day in pictures, made of children's smiles, and the smiles of people still in touch with their inner child.

Snowy morning walk up my steps to the street

The incongruity of snow in the Middle East

The famous metal flowers covered in snow

A good day for cars to spend napping

Men at work: the snowman competitions begin

Remember when we could smile sitting in the cold with frozen fingers?

This clever fellow wears a terra cotta top hat.

The Dearly Beloved and his new friend, Harvey Snowman. No one else could see him.

The Lonely Snowman of Faith stood in the shadow of the shul, arms Heavenward. At least he kept his kipah on.

In this photo by Yeshiva Bochur, Champagne Girl reminds me of a 1930s actress.

IMHO, the winning snowman: A frozen chayal. Note his six-pack abs. Even snow soldiers have to stay in shape.

A mommy getting ready for payback. "Sleep with one eye open tonight, Kid." That'll teach him to ambush his ma in a snowball fight.

Ol' Cucumber Eye, giving directions to motorists.

These bushes look like snow muffins.

The view looking out over Efrat, toward Jordan

Snow blossoms

Snow wars, with the clouds over the Mediterranean Sea in the background

Sunlight through snow-covered palms

More teamwork: The best part of the day was being surrounded by smiles.

May your winter be filled with beauty, the laughter of children, the opportunity to play, followed by the opportunity to get warm. May you find the community that makes you feel cherished. May you find your way home.

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About Me

I am anxious for everyone to get along, starting with the Jews. Scratch that. Starting with religious Jews. Hmmmm... probably still a lot to strive for. How about religious Jews in Israel? In Gush Etzion? In my yishuv? How about let's just start with my family. Okay, guys. As Abba says, "World peace starts at this table." Let's get our act together, and bring Moshiach.

In small ways, every day, I try to to do my part to rectify the error in judgment of my zaydies, the meraglim. "See these big grapes? We can make really big wine!"